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Sub-Saharan Africa HPAI situation update

08 August 2024, 08:30 hours; Rome

Situation: High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus (H5, H5N1, H5N2, H5N6, H5N8, H7 and H7N6 subtypes) with pandemic potential in countries of Sub-Saharan Africa since February 2017.
Confirmed countries (H5): South Africa*
Confirmed countries (H5N1): Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso*, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Réunion (France), Gambia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Namibia, Niger*, Nigeria*, Senegal, South Africa, and Togo.
Confirmed countries (H5N2): Nigeria and South Africa.
Confirmed countries (H5N6): Nigeria.
Confirmed countries (H5N8): Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Confirmed countries (H7): South Africa.
Confirmed countries (H7N6): South Africa* and Mozambique*.
Animal findings: 0 new events since the last update on 11 July 2024.
Number of human cases: 0 new events since last update (Last reported case 10 November 2021).
*Countries reporting cases in current wave (since 1 October 2023).

Map. Officially reported HPAI outbreaks (H5, H5N1, H5N2, H7 and H7N6 subtypes) in sub-Saharan Africa, by onset date (1 October 2023 to date)

Note: Map A shows confirmed HPAI events observed from 1 October to 8 August 2024 (current wave).
Map B shows HPAI events observed from 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2023 (previous wave).

Situation update

Table. High pathogenicity avian influenza events reported in animals since 1 October 2023 (i.e. current wave)

VirusCountry
(administrative
regions affected)		Last event observed#Events since last updateTotal #events since 1 October 2023Species affected since the last update or during the last observed events

H5

South Africa
(Gauteng, Northern Cape, North West, Western Cape)

20/04/2024

0

24

Commercial ostrich, poultry, Jackass Penguin, Swift Tern

H5N1

 

Nigeria
(Kebbi, Plateau)

27/02/2024

0

3

Geese, Captive peacocks

Burkina Faso
(Ouagadougou)

26/03/2024

0

2

Poultry

Niger
(Maradi)

13/05/2024

0

2

Domestic poultry, Guinea fowls

Gabon
(Estuaire)

03/05/2024

0

1

Poultry

H7N6


Mozambique

29/09/2023

0

1

Layer chicken

South Africa
(Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, Western Cape)

18/12/2023

0

67

Domestic poultry and domestic non-poultry birds

For a summary of H5N1, H5N6, and H5N8 HPAI events reported in sub-Saharan African countries in previous waves (i.e. before 1 October 2023) please contact EMPRES-Animal Health

Peer-reviewed publications

Ammali, N., Kara, R., Guetarni, D. & Chebloune, Y. 2024. Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 and H5N1 outbreaks in Algerian avian livestock production. Comparative Immunology Microbiology and Infectious Disease, 111:102202. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38852439/ Avian Alpha-influenza-virus (AIV) massively affects poultry, targeting mainly the respiratory tract for virus replication. Recently, two major H5N8 and H5N1 outbreaks caused tremendous losses in Algerian poultry. The clinical symptoms that had not been seen in the past didn't prompt a rapid reaction to control the epidemics. We report here the characteristics of these outbreaks and the epidemiological status of AIV in Algeria. Following autopsy observation samples from target organs were taken and analyzed by the classical real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR). Specific PCR HA and NA identification was used for subtyping H5 and N1/N8 genes. Systemic damage was observed in the upper-respiratory tracts with hemorrhagic and congestive tracheas, lungs, proventriculus, gut, and cecal tonsils were bloody. Out of 77 positive cases 13 were H5N8, 8 H5N1, and 10 H5Nx strains. These findings raise questions about the strain's pathotype considering severe organ damage and high mortality.

 

Bi, Y., Yang, J., Wang L., Ran, L. & Gao, G. F. 2024. Ecology and evolution of avian influenza viruses. Current Biology, 34 (15):R716-R721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2024.05.053. Influenza viruses are categorized into four types: A, B, C, and D. While influenza A, B, and C can infect humans, with A and B causing annual seasonal flu, influenza D is known to infect only pigs and cattle. Influenza A viruses are of particular concern due to their significant impact on human health, causing widespread morbidity and mortality and being responsible for at least five pandemics since the 20th century. It also infects a broad range of animal species, particularly wild aquatic birds, which serve as the primary reservoirs. Avian influenza viruses (AIVs), derived from or adapted to birds, are of significant concern due to their potential to cause pandemics and outbreaks. AIVs often persist in wild birds and domestic poultry, with novel variants emerging and posing ongoing risks to public health and ecosystem stability. Spatial persistence of influenza subtypes varies across regions which is shown in Figure 3.

 

Abolnik, C., Roberts, L. C., Strydom, C., Snyman, A., & Roberts, D. G. 2024. Outbreaks of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in South Africa in 2023 Were Caused by Two Distinct Sub-Genotypes of Clade 2.3.4.4b Viruses. Viruses, 16(6):896.  [reference]

Adesola, R.O., Onoja, B.A., Adamu, A.M., Agbaje, S.T., Abdulazeez, M.D., Akinsulie, O.C., Bakre, A. & Adegboye, O.A. 2024. Molecular epidemiology and genetic evolution of avian influenza H5N1 subtype in Nigeria, 2006 to 2021. Virus Genes, 2024 Jun 19.  [reference]

Mercy, K., Salyer, S.J., Mankga, C., Hedberg, C., Zondo, P., Kebede, Y. 2024. Establishing an early warning event management system at Africa CDC. PLOS Digit Health, 3(7):e0000546.  [reference]

Oguzie, J.U., Marushchak, L.V., Shittu, I., Lednicky, J.A., Miller, A.L., Hao, H., Nelson, M.I. & Gray, G.C. 2024. Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus among Dairy Cattle, Texas, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 30(7).  [ reference]

Bedair, N.M., Sakr, M.A., Mourad, A., Eissa, N., Mostafa, A. & Khamiss, O. 2024. Molecular characterization of the whole genome of H9N2 avian influenza virus isolated from Egyptian poultry farms. Archives of Virology, 169(5): 99. [reference]

Kutkat, O., Gomaa, M., Aboulhoda, B.E., Moatasim, Y., El Taweel, A., Kamel, M.N., El Sayes, M., et al. 2024. Genetic and virological characteristics of a reassortant avian influenza A H6N1 virus isolated from wild birds at a live-bird market in Egypt. Archives of Virology, 169(5): 95. [reference]

Olawuyi, K., Orole, O., Meseko, C., Monne, I., Shittu, I., Bianca, Z., Fusaro, A., et al. 2024. Detection of clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses in healthy wild birds in the Hadeji-Nguru wetland, Nigeria 2022. Influenza Other Respiratory Viruses, 18(2): e13254. [reference]

Fusaro, A., Zecchin, B., Giussani, E., Palumbo, E., Agüero-García, M., Bachofen, C., Bálint, Á., et al. 2024. High pathogenic avian influenza A(H5) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b in Europe – why trends of virus evolution are more difficult to predict. Virus Evolution, veae027. [reference]

Li, Y., An, Q., Sun, Z., Gao, X. & Wang, H. 2024. Multifaceted analysis of temporal and spatial distribution and risk factors of global poultry HPAI-H5N1, 2005-2023. Animal, 18(3):101085. [reference]

Miller, L.N., Saadawi, W.K., Hamouda, W.B., Elgari, A.S., Abdulkarim, E.A., Lmrabet, A.M.M., Elbukhmari, A.E., et al. 2024. Assessing One Health capacities for transboundary zoonotic diseases at the Libya-Tunisia border. One Health Outlook, 6(1):3. [reference]

Si, Y., Skidmore, A. K., Wang, T., de Boer, W. F., Debba, P., Toxopeus, A. G., Li, L., & Prins, H. H. 2009. Spatio-temporal dynamics of global H5N1 outbreaks match bird migration patterns. Geospatial Health, 4(1):65–78. [reference]

Olawuyi, K., Orole, O., Meseko, C., Monne, I., Shittu, I., Bianca, Z., Fusaro, A., et al. 2024. The Public Health Importance and Management of Infectious Poultry Diseases in Smallholder Systems in Africa. Influenza Other Respir Viruses, 18(2):e13254. [reference]

Monjane, I. V. A., Djedje, H., Tamele, E., Nhabomba, V., Tivane, A. R., Massicame, Z. E., Arone, D. M., Pastori, A., Bortolami, A., Monne, I., Woma, T., Lamien, C. E. & Dundon, W. G. 2024. H7N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza in Mozambique, 2023. Emerging Microbes & Infections, 13, (1). [reference]

Sanogo, I.N., Guinat, C., Dellicour, S., Diakité, M.A., Niang, M., Koita, O.A., Camus, C. & Ducatez, M. 2024. Genetic insights of H9N2 avian influenza viruses circulating in Mali and phylogeographic patterns in Northern and Western Africa. Virus Evolution, 10(1):veae011. [reference]

Glazunova, A., Krasnova, E., Bespalova, T., Sevskikh, T., Lunina, D., Titov, I., Sindryakova, I. & Blokhin, A. 2024. A highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4 detected in Samara Oblast, Russian Federation. Front Vet Sci, 11 – 2024. [reference]

Grace, D., Knight-Jones, T. J., Melaku, A., Alders, R. & Jemberu, W. T. 2024. The Public Health Importance and Management of Infectious Poultry Diseases in Smallholder Systems in Africa. Foods, 13(3), 411. [reference]

Kenmoe, S., Takuissu, G.R., Ebogo-Belobo, J.T., Kengne-Ndé, C., Mbaga, D.S., Bowo-Ngandji, A. & Ondigui Ndzie, J.L. et al. 2024. A systematic review of influenza virus in water environments across human, poultry, and wild bird habitats. Water Res X, 22:100210. [reference]

Roberts, L.C., Abernethy, D., Roberts, D.G., Ludynia, K., O'Kennedy, M.M., Abolnik, C. 2023. Vaccination of African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) against high-pathogenicity avian influenza.Vet Rec, e3616. [reference]

Abolnik, C. 2023. Spillover of an endemic avian Influenza H6N2 chicken lineage to ostriches and reassortment with clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 high pathogenicity viruses in chickens. Vet Res Commun. [reference]

Fagrach, A., Arbani, O., Karroute, O., El-Ftouhy, F.Z., Kichou, F., Bouslikhane, M., Fellahi, S. 2023. Prevalence of major infectious diseases in backyard chickens from rural markets in Morocco. Vet World, 16(9):1897-1906. [reference]

Meseko, C., Ameji, N.O., Kumar, B. & Culhane, M. 2023. Rational approach to vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza in Nigeria: a scientific perspective and global best practice. Arch Virol, 168(10):263. [reference]

Agha, A.S.K., Benlashehr, I., Naffati, K.M., Bshina, S.A. & Khashkhosha, A.A. 2023. Correlation of avian influenzaH9N2 with high mortality in broiler flocks in the southwest of Tripoli, Libya. Open Vet J, 13(6):715-722. [reference].

Bongono, E.F., Kaba, L., Camara, A., Touré, A., Ngoma, M.P., Yanogo, P.K., Kanyala, E. & SOW A. 2023. Évaluation de la biosécurité et facteurs associés à l'influenza aviaire dans les fermes avicoles de Coyah, Guinée, 2019-2020. Med Trop Sante Int. 2023 3(2):25. [reference].

Isibor, P.O., Onwaeze, O.O., Kayode-Edwards, I.I., Agbontaen, D.O., Ifebem-Ezima, A.M., Bilewu, O., Onuselogu, C., Akinniyi, A.P., Obafemi, Y.D. & Oniha, M.I. 2023. Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics. Braz J Biol, 84:e270857. [reference]

Lebarbenchon, C., Boucher, S., Feare, C., Dietrich, M., Larose, C., Humeau, L., Le Corre, M. & Jaeger, A. 2023. Migratory patterns of two major influenza virus host species on tropical islands. R Soc Open Sci, 10(10):230600. [reference]

Jbenyeni, A., Croville, G., Cazaban, C. & Guérin, J.L. 2023. Predominance of low pathogenic avian influenza virus H9N2 in the respiratory co-infections in broilers in Tunisia: a longitudinal field study, 2018-2020. Vet Res, 54(1):88. [reference]

Alhaji, N.B., Adeiza, A.M., Godwin, E.A., Haruna, A.E., Aliyu, M.B. & Odetokun, I.A. 2023. An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications. One health, 16:100574 [reference]

Miller, LmNm, Elmselati, H., Fogarty, A.S., Farhat, M.E., Standley, C.J., Abuabaid, H.M. & Zorgani, A. 2023. Using One Health assessments to leverage endemic disease frameworks for emerging zoonotic disease threats in Libya. PLOS Glob Public Health, 3(7):e0002005 [reference]

Abolnik, C., Phiri, T., Peyrot, B., de Beer, R., Snyman, A., Roberts, D., Ludynia, K. et al. 2023. The Molecular Epidemiology of Clade 2.3.4.4B H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Southern Africa, 2021–2022. Viruses, 15(6):1383. [reference]

Meseko, C., Milani, A., Inuwa, B., Chinyere, C., Shittu, I., Ahmed, J., Giussani, E. et al. 2023. The Evolution of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5) in Poultry in Nigeria, 2021–2022. Viruses,15:1387. [reference]

Nma Bida Alhaji, Abdulrahman Musa Adeiza, Enid Abutu Godwin, Aliyu Evuti Haruna, Mohammed Baba Aliyu and Ismail Ayoade Odetokun. 2023. An assessment of the highly pathogenic avian influenza resurgence at human-poultry-environment interface in North-central Nigeria: Sociocultural determinants and One Health implications. One Health, 16:100574. [reference]

Lo, F.T., Zecchin, B., Diallo, A.A., Racky, O., Tassoni, L., Diop, A., Diouf, M., Diouf, M., Samb, Y.N., Pastori, A., Gobbo, F., Ellero, F., Diop, M., Lo, M.M., Diouf, M.N., Fall, M., Ndiaye, A.A., Gaye, A.M., Badiane, M., Lo, M., Youm, B.N., Ndao, I., Niaga, M., Terregino, C., Diop, B., Ndiaye, Y., Angot, A., Seck, I., Niang, M., Soumare, B., Fusaro, A. & Monne, I. 2022. Intercontinental Spread of Eurasian Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) to Senegal. Emerg Infect Dis. 28(1):234-237. [reference]

Panzarin, V., Marciano, S., Fortin, A., Brian, I., D'Amico, V., Gobbo, F., Bonfante, F., Palumbo, E., Sakoda, Y., Le, K.T., Chum D.H., Shittu, I., Meseko, C., Haido, A.M., Odoom, T., Diouf, M.N., Djegui, F., Steensels, M., Terregino, C. & Monne, I. 2022. Redesign and Validation of a Real-Time RT-PCR to Improve Surveillance for Avian Influenza Viruses of the H9 Subtype. Viruses. 14(6):1263. [reference]

FAO's support to countries or by country

Global level 2024
  • FAO launched its new HPAI website, accessible from HERE.
  • OFFLU, The WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza, held Global Technical Meeting on 2-4 July 2024 in FAO Rome.
  • FAO and WOAH released the Global strategy for the prevention and control of high pathogenic avian influenza (2024–2033) under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) [link] on 27 May 2024, on the sidelines of the annual General Session of WOAH.
  • OFFLU organized a webinar "OFFLU Avian Influenza Matching (AIM) for Poultry Vaccines’’ on 10 July 2024.
  • The FAO Virtual Learning Centers have launched a new self-paced virtual learning course on avian influenza (AI). The course aims to raise awareness of AI and to develop capacity on its detection and prevention. It is available here. This is an introductory course, designed for a range of stakeholders with an interest in AI. It is intended to be useful for veterinarians, veterinary paraprofessionals and others working in the poultry industries. There are six short modules, each of approximately fifteen to twenty minutes duration. You can study these at a time and place to suit you and use them as a ready-reference resource as needed. The course supports multiple platforms and can be studied on a smartphone, as well as on a computer or a tablet device. The course is now available also in Spanish and Portuguese.
Regional level
  • Inter-regional workshop on biosafety/biosecurity for veterinary laboratories – eastern and southern Africa and west and central Africa was jointly held by FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease Control (ECTAD) regional offices in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) and West and Central Africa (WCA), in Lusaka, in Zambia, from 15 to 19 July 2024.  
  • From 11 to 14 June 2024, the Planning, Coordination, and Capacity Building Workshop for Animal Health Prevention, Preparedness, and Rapid Response in the Africa Region took place in Ada, Ghana.
  • FAO ECTAD WCA monitors suspected HPAI outbreaks in several countries in the region and provides various assistance, including laboratory reagents and consumables, as well as transport of specimens to the reference laboratory Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe-Italy).
  • FAO ECTAD ESA supports procurement of reagents (primers, probes, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) kits, extraction kits) and consumables in support of timely diagnostic testing and to enhance preparedness in Ethiopia, Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda through USAID funded Global Health Security (GHS) programme.
  • ECTAD ESA is supporting Kenya, Ethiopia, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe enhance biosecurity in poultry farms which contributes to minimising HPAI incursion. Poultry value chain risk assessment along the entire poultry value chain is planned in 10 countries namely Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, the United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia as a part of ECTAD's ongoing support for HPAI risk mitigation/management.
  • The Virtual Learning Centre in West Africa provided a four-week Avian Influenza tutored course from 23 April to 24 May 2024, in English and French.
  • A regional training course on infectious substances shipment according to the regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for Eastern and Southern Africa was conducted in Nairobi in June 2024. The same training course for Western and Central Africa was held in Dakar (French session) from 26 to 28 June 2024 and will be held in Accra (English session) in August 2024.

     

National level

Benin:

  • A poultry value chain study was conducted, resulting in the development of a biosafety manual aimed at enhancing biosafety measures in poultry farms and live bird markets. Reports titled "Study of Poultry Value Chains and Risk Factors for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Benin" have been finalized.
  • A training of trainers on biosecurity measures and best practices for managing poultry farms was conducted, using both the Biosecurity Manual for Commercial Poultry Farms and the Biosecurity Manual for Live Poultry Markets in Benin.
  • FAO ECTAD supported Benin by providing reagents, disinfectants, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and the sending of samples to IZSVe (Padova, Italy) for confirmation sequencing.

    Côte d’Ivoire:

    • HPAI surveillance was conducted by the Département des Services Vétérinaires and the Laboratoire National d'Appui au Développement Agricole (LANADA), in collaboration with the Institut Pasteur de Côte d'Ivoire and the Office Ivoirien des Parcs et Réserves (OIPR) in One Health approach  from 27 May to 6 June 2024 , to assess the Avian Influenza situation, supported by FAO.  This surveillance was covering markets, poultry slaughterhouses, and bird resting areas across 32 sites throughout the country.
    • A study on the socio-economic impact of HPAI in the modern poultry value chain was conducted between November and December 2023 by an FAO consultant, and the final report is under validation.
    • FAO supported preparedness for HPAI outbreaks by providing veterinary services with prevention, investigation, and response equipment including biosafety materials; and strengthened LANADA's capacity by supplying reagents and consumables for HPAI diagnostics. FAO also trained 28 field veterinarians on sample collection, packaging and shipping from suspected HPAI poultry from 4 to 8 March 2024 in Bouaké.
    • FAO contributed to the training and awareness raising of 104 poultry value chain stakeholders regarding HPAI by supporting two workshops organized by the Veterinary Services Directorate in San Pedro (28 February to 1 March 2024) and Korhogo (12 to 13 March 2024). 

    Ethiopia:

    • To prevent the incidence and spread of major poultry diseases in a poultry farm, FAO ECTAD Ethiopia, supported by the Fleming Fund, is now implementing Broiler Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in five field sites. The holistic approach will incorporate basic principles of biosecurity, disease prevention, and reduction for the need in the use of antimicrobials. 
    • The National Biosecurity Guideline for poultry production and the National Biosecurity Guidelines for Poultry Production Directives were validated/reviewed in Bishoftu from 2 to 4 August 2024.

    Gambia:

    • The Department of Livestock Services, in collaboration with FAO, conducted a comprehensive nationwide public sensitization and awareness campaign. The campaign informed rural communities about HPAI, the need to report suspected incidents, and biosecurity measures that are essential to safeguarding public health, improving poultry production, and protecting livelihoods.

      Ghana:

      • The FAO's PMP-TAB initiative is being implemented to safeguard poultry health and ensure industry sustainability through biosecurity efforts that address specific needs.

      Kenya:

      • The FAO ECTAD, through the Global Health Security Program, is supporting Kenya's Directorate of Veterinary Services in collaborating on biosafety and biosecurity actions by developing, reviewing, and validating the Biosafety Manual and National Veterinary Waste Management Guidelines. In relation to this initiative, a live exercise and workshop on "Safeguarding Kenya's Biotech and Biochemical sectors by enhancing biosecurity practises” sponsored by Kenya Government will be held from 20 to 21 August 2024 in Nairobi.
      • FAO is supporting Kenya Animal Bio-Surveillance (KABS) disease reporting platform roll-out for syndromic surveillance and the refresher trainings.

      Liberia:

      • The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with FAO plans to conduct active surveillance for Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI)/HPAI in five high risk counties (Montserrado, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Bomi, Grand Bassa) from 1 to 7 July 2024.
      • Various trainings are planned to be conducted including: training for trainers for animal health technicians on biosafety and biosecurity guidelines; Meat value chain actors on sanitary and hygienic practices for food safety. Mentors and trainers will receive instruction in the In-service Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (ISAVET) programme.
      • Training of a new batch of Community-Based Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) is being planned for September 2024 to enhance surveillance at the grassroots level. The training will prioritize disease detection (including reporting of rumors) at the community level for priority zoonotic diseases (PZDs) including AI.

        Malawi:

        • FAO ECTAD is supporting the development of the national PZDs list, with HPAI being a key disease under consideration. This activity, in collaboration with Africa CDC, is scheduled for 26 to 30 August 2024.
        • The Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL) has a few staff members trained in serological and molecular diagnosis. FAO ECTAD will facilitate in-house refresher training before the end of this year and support CVL's participation in the next Proficiency Testing exercises.

        Mali:

        • FAO ECTAD Mali conducted a study on biosecurity in poultry, dairy and pig farms to assess best practices and recommend actions to improve biosecurity measures on farms. Following the recommendations from the study, a training session for 50 people was conducted in December 2023, and another is scheduled for 2024 for community actors (women and youth) working in poultry, dairy, and pig farms.
        • A training session for 25 community actors on case definition and notification of priority zoonotic diseases was held from 21 to 22 May 2024 in Ségou.
        • A training session for 26 people (central, regional, and private veterinarians as well as laboratory officials and wildlife officers) was held in Bougouni in May 2024, on Good Emergency Management Practices (GEMP).

        Niger:

        • Following a request from the Directorate General of Veterinary Services (DGSV), FAO ECTAD supported an investigation mission conducted from 22 to 25 May 2024, composed of a central team and a regional OH team. The mission took place in four stages: i) visit to the outbreak site, ii) visit to a live poultry market (Gazaoua), iii) visit to the nearest border inspection post (Guidan Kané), and iv) synthesis and development of an enhanced avian influenza surveillance plan for the Maradi region. Disinfectants (virucide, quicklime, bleach), a backpack sprayer with a capacity of 16 liters, gloves, sampling equipment (EDTA tubes, dry tubes, containers) from a stock provided by FAO ECTAD to the DGSV, and a surgical kit for necropsy were given to the Departmental Directorate of Livestock in Aguié to help manage potential new outbreaks.

        Nigeria:

        • FAO ECTAD, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, conducted a national stakeholder workshop on HPAI control and prevention. The key recommendations include ensuring National Veterinary Research Institute's central role in communicating needs to the Ministry for partner support; conducting pilot vaccinations on three breeder farms in different geopolitical locations, adhering to established guidelines and protocols; and promoting biosecurity measures by encouraging strict farm sanitation, quarantine and controlled bird movement to control HPAI.

        Sierra Leone:

        • FAO Sierra Leone has been actively involved in various initiatives to improve biosafety and biosecurity in the poultry sector. From 24 June to 12 July 2024, a comprehensive training programme was conducted for 21 ISAVET Frontline trainees in Makeni, Bombali District, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of biosafety and biosecurity on poultry farms, and from 12 to 15 August on risk and value chain analysis.
        • In collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, FAO Sierra Leone supported a retrospective study on the prevalence of HPAI from 2019 to 2023, and also developed Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines for poultry farmers and assisted the Government of Sierra Leone in producing these guidelines for awareness-raising purposes.
        • From 17 to 22 August, FAO ECTAD Sierra Leone will undertake awareness-raising missions among poultry farmers in three districts (Western Area, Bo, and Makeni), focusing on infection prevention control and biosafety and biosecurity. During this mission, FAO will print and disseminate the IPC guidelines to stakeholders.

        South Sudan:

        • The FAO, through the Global Health Security Program, is planning to train 520 CAHWs on the disease reporting, community-based surveillance, to enhance their capacities in timely reporting and early warning system, detection of PZDs including poultry diseases especially in hard-to-reach areas.
        • FAO, in collaboration with the African Medical and Research Foundation (AMREF), conducted a five-day training programme for 32 One Health laboratory technicians, focusing on bio-risk management. 
        • On 11 July 2024, a joint vaccination campaign was launched in Narus, Kapoeta East County, by the Department of Animal Health and Fisheries, County Health Department, FAO, Core Group, the World Vision and OPEN. Under the theme “Vaccination Saves Both Human and Animal Lives” the campaign successfully vaccinated 58 827 animals across 1 666 households (1 000 male-headed and 666 female-headed households) and reached 2 990 children in the region.

        Uganda: 

        • To strengthen early warning systems for HPAI, FAO is supporting the National Animal Disease Diagnostic and Epidemiology Centre (NADDEC) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. This support includes active surveillance in the Lake Victoria Epizone, focusing on poultry value chains and environmental sampling at sites where wild birds congregate. 
        • Additionally, FAO has supplied information technology materials to enhance surveillance data capture and sharing for four district public veterinary services (Kalangala, Ntungamo, Kween, Jinja) and one private veterinary laboratory in Rushere, Kiruhura, Western Uganda. 
        • To further bolster diagnostic capacity for high-risk zoonoses, FAO has provided NADDEC with laboratory reagents, including HPAI rapid kits.

        Zambia: 

        • An Inter-regional Workshop on Biosafety and Biosecurity for veterinary laboratories in Eastern, Southern, Western, and Central Africa was held in Lusaka, Zambia, from 15 to 19 July 2024. The workshop resulted in action-oriented and practical recommendations, including reviewing and aligning Regional and Country biosafety and biosecurity roadmaps, orienting these roadmaps to the Joint External Evaluation milestone library and WHO Benchmark actions for coherence, and enabling progress assessment over the next year. Other recommendations included enhancing maintenance and calibration of critical biosafety equipment, promoting biosafety and biosecurity advocacy, improving networking and communication, and providing countries with guidelines and tools to support biosafety and biosecurity initiatives.
        • Active surveillance was conducted from June to the end of July, during which 100 samples were collected from layer chickens (aged 22-75 weeks) on a breeder farm in the Southern Province. All samples tested negative for M, H5, and H7 genes by PCR at the Central Veterinary Research Institute in Lusaka

        Important links

        ECTAD ESA

        • Despite no HPAI events reported in the region FAO-ECTAD continues to support annual Proficiency testing schemes for AIV since 2018 through USAID funded GHSA program at national and sub-national level in Eastern Africa (Ethiopia Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda) as well as supporting procurement of reagents (molecular supplies-primers, probes, PCR kits, extraction kits) and consumables in support of diagnostic testing and to enhance preparedness.

        ECTAD WCA

        • FAO ECTAD WCA organized a regional training on Shipment of Infectious Substances from 26 to 28 July 2023 with a trainer from WHO. A total of 11 participants from 7 francophone countries successfully completed the training and were certified to ship infectious substances by air.
        • FAO ECTAD WCA supported Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo in managing domestic and wild bird mortality events in 2022 due to H5 HPAI including the provisions of laboratory reagents, consumables and PPE for field activities, as well as at-risk countries to address the situation as a regional coordination effort.
        • In 2023, the regional project OSRO/GLO/501/USA “Emergency assistance for prevention and control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in selected Countries in West Africa” funded by USAID continues to enhance strengthening the capabilities of veterinary services to prevent and sustainably control HPAI within the region with a focus on Benin, the Gambia and Togo.
        • FAO ECTAD WCA conducted backstopping missions: to Benin and Togo in from 9 to 13 May 2023 to provide follow up support also for the implementation of the HPAI project, assessed the readiness, reviewed planned activities, visited the veterinary laboratory of Lomé and provided recommendations to improve biosafety/biosecurity measures and working environment; and to the Gambia from 22 to 26 May 2023 to provide technical support in the HPAI project implementation, reviewed additional response needs for the recent HPAI outbreak and handed over emergency supplies (rapid test kits, disinfectants, personal protective equipment [PPE]) from the USAID funded Stockpile Project to the Department of Livestock Services of the Ministry of Agriculture.

        Burkina Faso:

        • From 25 to 27 June 2023, a meeting was held in Koudougou to raise awareness among small-scale poultry farmers on disease recognition and their responsibility on early detection of mortality. Forty-five poultry producers attended the session. Before the meeting, a ToT was organized and intended to field veterinary agents who will cascade the training in their respective regions. The objective is to get 650 poultry producers sensitized on HPAI and biosecurity.
        • The TCP/BKF/3901 project has so far: trained 175 staff on HPAI epidemiological surveillance; developed training modules on good poultry farming practices, hygiene and biosecurity measures on farms and trained 46 trainers; the trainers conducted sensitization of 300 model poultry farmers from 10 regions of Burkina. The project also provided training for 30 communicators and journalists of the press (print and audiovisual) on HPAI.

        Ethiopia:

        • Diseases due to the absence or poor biosecurity account for more than 56% of annual mortality in the poultry sector in Ethiopia, discouraging farmers from expanding their production. FAO in collaboration with the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Institute has prepared a biosecurity brochure covering three key areas - conceptual, structural, and operational biosecurity measures. The brochure provides guidance to small and medium commercial poultry farms on implementing effective biosecurity measures for increased productivity, and a more sustainable and profitable industry, and is aimed to be used by Farmers Field School (FFS).
        • FAO ECTAD Ethiopia, in collaboration with the Ethiopian agricultural research institute, implemented a pilot study in four municipalities to assess their current biosecurity practices and identify gaps, recommend best practices, assess the adoption by farms, and evaluate their effects on disease incidence/prevalence and farm productivity/profitability. The study was conducted on 40 poultry farms between July 2022 and March 2023, and the findings have been validated to suggest best practices to some poultry farms included in this study. The study will generate the evidence for poultry farm biosecurity which will inform commercial poultry farms the value of best practices, raise awareness and to scale up good practices along the poultry value chain, and promote infection prevention through biosecurity practices.

        Gabon:

        • An FAO Emergency Management Centre (EMC) emergency field mission was conducted in Gabon from 4 to 8 July 2022 in response to the recent H5N1 HPAI outbreaks reported in Estuaire Province. The FAO-EMC team collaborated with the General Directorate of Livestock to investigate affected farms, assess the emergency response capacity, identify the current gaps in the animal health surveillance system, including the capacity of the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Libreville for the diagnosis of priority diseases, and develop tailored recommendations. The outbreak has been managed and no additional outbreaks have been reported since mid-May 2022.

        Ghana:

        • FAO with support from USAID organized a one-day sensitization workshop in three regions in Ghana (Ashanti, Bono and Bono East) in January 2023 to prevent zoonoses resulting from handling, trade and consumption of bushmeat [link]

        Liberia

        • In December 2022, FAO-ECTAD Liberia supported the Ministry of agriculture to investigate suspected Outbreaks of HPAI in Nimba; all samples tested negative for HPAI.

        Mali:

        • In 2022, FAO ECTAD Mali supported Strengthen biosecurity practices at farm levels targeting 35 farmers including 8 women.

        Niger:

        • FAO ECTAD Niger supported the development of a Biosafety/Biosecurity guide (2022) for actors in the dairy, meat and poultry value chains in Niger.  

        Nigeria:

        • FAO ECTAD Nigeria, in collaboration with ECOWAS and AU-IBAR, supported risk assessment for HPAI spread in the country in 2022. A debriefing session and an After-Action Review (AAR) on the SOP used for the mission were held virtually on 26 May and 24 July respectively, to the latter the national coordinator and epi-expert participated from ECTAD Senegal.

        Senegal:

        • FAO ECTAD Senegal assisted FAO Emergency Management Center (EMC-AH) expert mission visiting Saint-Louis as a part of support to control HPAI outbreaks in May 2023.
        • FAO ECTAD Senegal trained 32 personnels from the Ministries of Environment and Livestock on sampling techniques for wild birds in January and February 2023.

        Sierra Leone:

        • In 2022, when neighbouring Guinea reported HPAI outbreaks, FAO ECTAD Sierra Leone supported the Ministry of Agriculture and Food security to undertake active search for HPAI in Koinadugu, Karene, Pujehun and Kambia districts adjacent to infected /high risk areas in Guinea collected 161 samples (serum and swabs) and tested at the Central Veterinary Laboratory using ELISA and PCR. All samples tested negative for H5.
        • In collaboration with FAO ECTAD Guinea, FAO ECTAD Sierra Leone provided timely updates on HPAI status in Guinea during weekly One Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Group meetings which helped the Government to follow on the evolution of the outbreak and to assess potential threats of introduction of HPAI in Sierra Leone. This support complemented Government efforts to prevent HPAI incursions into the country.
        Next issue: 8 Aug. 2024
        The disease situation updates are produced by the FAO Emergency Prevention System for Animal Health (EMPRES-AH) as part of its mission to increase global disease intelligence.
        Disclaimer

        Information provided herein is current as of the date of issue. Information added or changed since the last Sub-Saharan HPAI situation update appears in red. For poultry cases with unknown onset dates, reporting dates were used instead. FAO compiles information communicated by field officers on the ground in affected countries, from regional offices, and from the World Organisation for Animal Health [WOAH], as well as peer-reviewed scientific articles. FAO makes every effort to ensure, but does not guarantee, accuracy, completeness, or authenticity of the information. The boundaries and names shown, and the designations used on these map(s) do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of FAO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers and boundaries. Dashed lines on maps represent approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement.

         

         

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